Lotus Exige 265e Has First Japanese Outing At Jsae

Visitors to the JSAE Show in Yokohama in May will be the first outside the UK to see the

unique Lotus Exige 265E flex-fuel technology demonstrator. Also on display will be Lotus

Engineering's advanced optical access research engine. These cutting edge developments

are part of Lotus Engineering's continuing research into new and exciting technologies to

reduce the environmental impact of the internal combustion engine.

The world-class Lotus Engineering innovations will feature on the UK's Pavilion and are set to

be star attractions of the show.

Lotus Exige 265E flex-fuel demonstrator

Lotus Engineering's Exige 265E technology demonstrator, developed to run on any mixture of

BioEthanol from 100% gasoline to E85 BioEthanol (15% Gasoline), will be the centrepiece of

the UK's stand at JSAE.

One of the world's quickest road-legal bio-ethanol fuelled cars, the Exige 265E is powered by

a modified version of the supercharged and intercooled 4-cylinder engine from the production

Lotus Exige S. With 197 kW (268 PS) the Exige 265E accelerates to 100 kph in 4.1 seconds

and to a top speed of 254 kph. It is an example of Lotus Engineering's commitment to

developing eco-friendly powertrain solutions that also provide an exciting and engaging driving

experience.

The powertrain of the Exige 265E incorporates a modified fuel system and sophisticated

Lotus-developed engine management programme. A sensor in the fuel tank diagnoses the

real-time bio-ethanol/gasoline mix and the ECU adapts the engine fuelling, timing, camswitching

and ignition strategies accordingly.

Lotus Engineering Optical Access Active Valvetrain engine

The UK engineering consultancy is also showcasing one of the most sophisticated research

engines in the world. The Optical Access AVT™ engine combines Lotus Engineering's

pioneering fully variable active valvetrain (AVT™) technology and its optical access

combustion chamber technology. Each is used independently for leading edge powertrain

research and development, and in combination offer engineers a suite of extremely powerful

capabilities. It is being used by Lotus Engineering and its clients to gain in-depth

understanding and knowledge of the very latest engine technologies.

Optical access allows engineers to use advanced diagnostic techniques such as high speed

imaging and laser Doppler anemometry to examine and record airflow and fuel spray

characteristics, soot and particulate formation and the combustion event itself. The fully

variable electro-hydraulic valvetrain technology, pioneered by Lotus Engineering, allows

engineers to infinitely vary the profile of the valve events in real time. It allows rapid

assessment of different valve profile strategies and of the impact of those variations on events

in the chamber.

So advanced is the unique technology as a powertrain research tool, many global OEMs have

purchased the technology from Lotus Engineering.

Lotus Engineering – world leaders in the development of efficient performance

solutions

The Optical Access AVT™ engine and the Exige 265E bi-fuel demonstrator are part of a range

of world-class efficient performance solutions and technologies developed by Lotus

Engineering. At the Geneva Motorshow in March, the UK automotive consultancy showcased

a hybrid technology demonstrator and an integrated exhaust manifold design concept, and it is

involved in a number of electric vehicle programmes for clients.